Science and Research

DEPI's Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research (ARI) is a leading centre for applied ecological research, with an emphasis on flora, fauna and biodiversity issues. Its main focus is on providing strategic research and management advice to answer key questions affecting ecologically sustainable land or water management and resource use policies.

The Institute has over 40 scientists with expertise in the ecology and taxonomy of flora, fauna and freshwater species and an excellent knowledge of ecosystem processes and interactions.

The Institute's research themes include:

Ecological sustainability in rural landscapes
Salinity and other threatening processes
Landscape rehabilitation and habitat assessment
Invasive species and wildlife management
Threatened species and communities
Biological monitoring and mapping
Forest and park management.

DEPI's Environmental Economics Unit (EEU) also conducts research into environmental and urban policy mechanisms. It contributes to shaping policies through programs on:

Economic performance and competition
Environmental and natural resource management
Urban development and sustainable communities
ecoMarkets